What does celebrating Easter mean to you? If it conjures up images of colourful eggs, luscious chocolates and cute bunnies, you will be in for a treat in Melbourne.

Signifying a change of season in Australia, Easter coincides with the end of the stifling Summer heat as it heralds the cool breezes of Autumn. In Melbourne, the Easter weekend is celebrated in a big way every year— children and adults can choose their favourite Easter carnival, egg hunt, and feast across multiple destinations in the city.

Clueless where to begin? Let the team at Pan Pacific Melbourne bring you on a hunt for the best Easter activities for you and your loved ones.

Address: 20 Symonds (bottom of Hesse) Street, Queenscliff, VIC 3225, Australia

Dates: Dates vary

“All aboard the Easter train!”

Experience more than a scenic ride on the Bellarine Railway during the Easter long weekend. An-hour-and-a-half drive from Melbourne city centre, The Bellarine Railway offers visitors a rare chance to relive the sights and smells of a long-gone era, back when steam and diesel-operated trains ruled the track.

Look out for the Easter Bunny Special Ride during the Easter Weekend. The scenic 45-minute return train ride is filled with Easter activities—from an Easter Egg hunt for children, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, to an Easter Bonnet parade and a “Bunny Spotto” activity.

Suffice to say, it is going to be an Easter extravaganza for kids here.

Get Directions to the Bellarine Railway | Buy Tickets

Address: B.A Cairns Reserve, Stokes St, Flinders, VIC 3929, Australia

Date: Dates vary

Operating hours: 9:00am to 2:00pm

Set among trees overlooking the bay, the Easter Sunday Flinders Market is a great place to relax, soak in the sun and indulge in some light shopping and feasting. 

Located at the Flinders Cricket Club, the market grows every year. Today, it showcases at least 100 stalls selling fresh produce, craft, Bric-a-Brac and knick-knacks. Little ones can look forward to pony rides, a jumping castle, face painting, a mobile farm and wide open spaces to run and chase after each other. 

The ideal time to visit is mid-morning. Kids can participate in the Easter games, after which the family can settle down for lunch at noon while admiring the venue’s beautiful scenery. If you are planning to visit The Market, do note that it does not charge an entry fee—donations, however, are warmly welcomed.

Get Directions to Flinders Easter Market

Address: 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick, VIC 3185, Australia

Operating Hours: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Spend a stately Easter Sunday at the Rippon Lea Estate. Beyond being one of the most historic places in Victoria, its grand and elegant compound helped the estate to be the first Australian historic building to achieve National Heritage Listing.

Pack a picnic basket, find a comfortable spot on the magnificent estate grounds, snap some Instagram-worthy shots to add to your Melbourne photo gallery, and spend a leisurely Easter afternoon here.

Get Directions to Rippon Lea Estate

Address: Main and High Streets, Maldon, VIC 3463, Australia

Dates: Dates vary

Be part of one of the oldest fairs in Australia, dating back to 1878. Held over the four-day Easter long weekend, the Maldon Easter Fair has parades, competitions, an annual Easter Machinery Rally and more. The Rally showcases machinery from manufacturing, agriculture and pumping.

Fancy yet another Easter egg hunt? There is one each day at 2pm during the Easter long weekend, plus other children’s activities to keep your little ones occupied. Those yearning for something less traditional can participate in a hilarious egg-tossing competition in the village—make sure that you are prepared though, as things can get messy!

On Easter Sunday itself, you can take part in a torchlight procession, street dance session or scone baking competition. Then on Monday, watch an Easter Parade that features items and events that defined Maldon- from fire trucks and bicycles to political statements held as banners. The town has been labelled as Australia’s first notable town and is known for its 19th-century appearance since the days of the gold rush.

Cafes and restaurants here are open for business over the long weekend, so fret not about getting a bite to eat during the festivities.

Get Direction to Maddon Easter Fair